Reactive vs. Proactive Recognition
Proactive Recognition
The most effective type of safety recognition is "proactive" because it rewards behaviors and actions that help to prevent injuries and illness because they occur before incidents and accidents occur. Proactive recognition rewards employee behaviors, such as reporting hazardous conditions, unsafe behaviors, near-miss incidents, and accidents.
Proactive recognition programs help to prevent future accidents. A very important policy in a proactive safety recognition program states that employees will always receive positive recognition for reporting near-misses, incidents, and accidents. They will never be reprimanded. Below are examples of proactive behaviors:
For Managers
- Supervisors personally conduct regular safety inspections; and
- The employer disciplines for unsafe behavior when justified.
For Employees
- Employees comply with company and OSHA safety rules; and
- Employees report near-misses, incidents, and accidents.
For All
- Everyone makes safety suggestions; and
- Management and employees participate in safety (committees, teams, events, etc).
When managers, supervisors, and employees are recognized for these behaviors, their overall involvement in safety and health increases greatly. They become more aware, interested, and involved in uncovering unsafe work conditions, practices, and safety management system weaknesses. They also know that reporting hazards as soon as they occur reduces direct and indirect safety costs.
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1-5. Why is it so important to recognize proactive behaviors?
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